Artists have long been attracted to, or associated with, the historic and architecturally distinguished town of Brecon. Local resident, David Moore, who is a writer, researcher, independent curator and museum / gallery consultant with a particular interest in modern and contemporary visual art collection development in Wales has written an historic guide to art in Brecon which can be read here.
We are delighted that y Gaer, the newly renovated museum, gallery and library has re-opened opposite Found. The gallery currently has an exhibition dedicated to the work of Welsh artist David Jones.
The art collection at y Gaer, built up over recent decades with support from the Brecknock Art Trust, is one of the most significant in a Welsh regional museum. Highlights include David Jones's 1926 watercolour Y Twmpa – Capel, Eric Ravilious's 1938 The Waterwheel, Graham Sutherland's 1940 watercolour Fallen Tree against Sunset, Josef Herman's 1949 oil Pen-y-bont Inn, Ystradgynlais and Ivor Davies's 1992 mixed media Taranis, which reflects dramatically upon the eviction, ostensibly for defence purposes during the Second World War, of a Welsh-speaking community from the Epynt. Sarah Snazell's 1998 oil Doppelgänger and Clive Hicks-Jenkins's 2001 drawing The Mari Lwyd Approaches are other masterpieces that can be seen in the collection. Some of the finest Welsh artists have, over the years, exhibited at the museum and include Ken Elias, Charles Burton, Mary Fogg and Megan Jones. There is also an excellent archive of photographic portraits of local artists commissioned from Bernard Mitchell by Brecknock Art Trust.
As well as y Gaer there are a number of commercial galleries in Brecon. Come and enjoy a day out visiting not only us here at Found but also Gate Gallery and Glassworks owned by glass maker Kathryn Roberts and Ardent Gallery which has a wide range of artists represented and hosts a small picture exhibition and summer show each year. Laura Dennis runs an artist's studio and gallery on Ship Street and Simon Royer has his own gallery now at the top of Lion Street.
Please check opening times for the different venues.